Video: Lorenzo Romar after loss to Utah

(Opening Statement) “Very frustrating for us, tonight, but it’s not something that we did not anticipate. I don’t care what their record was going into this game. We talked to our team and even showed our team clips and films of them going down to Arizona State and having every chance to beat Arizona State. Then, going into Arizona and having every chance to beat Arizona. Those two games were on Arizona’s turf. Then going into UCLA at home and having every chance to win the game. We talked about that. We knew that this team was very capable and they would grind you and play defense. I just think we came out and we were lack-lustered defensively. They shoot 60% against us. Give them a lot of credit, they sliced us up. We just took a step back. It wasn’t the type and level of defense we’ve been playing and it cost us.”

(On the defense early) “We just weren’t determined enough early. Throughout parts of the game, we just weren’t determined enough. We’ll go back and look at the film. We’ll be embarrassed at times about our lack of coverage.”

(On the team’s keys) “You always have three keys that will give us the chance to be the best we can be. The number one key that we talked about for two or three days was: Come ready to play. Be ready to play. We continued to talk about this. That’s why we showed film and make sure our guys understood what Utah was capable of doing. After our game with Colorado, I talked about Utah, one of the top defensive teams in or league. That’s why they are able to stay in these games.”

(On the shooting) “We had tough times in the other four games, but we defended. We don’t ever tell our guys ‘What’s wrong with you? Why aren’t you making shots?’ Look, they’re not trying to miss shots. You can’t control that all the time. We had open look after open look after open look. But we can control more of how we guard. That’s why I’m frustrated with that part of it.”

(Utah’s defense of C.J. Wilcox) “They did a nice job on C.J. I would have to say it’s pretty close to [how they guarded] Brock Motum – 0 points in the first half for Washington State. They just kind of face guard and try to take the guy. They seemed to make a decision as to who they’re going to allow to shoot the ball and who they’re not.”